The National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) is located in Karachi. It was established in 1981
by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of Pakistan (MoST). Its Head Office is at Clifton Karachi, with three sub-stations at Gwadar, Sonmiani and Ghora Bari. The main area of research of the Institute is the north Arabian Sea and beyond. The oceanic and
atmospheric processes of the north Arabian Sea modify our climate, offer
numerous living and non-living resources, Oceanographic research brings
together all the scientific disciplines needed to study the ocean: Departments

The ambit of oceanography extends from
the atmosphere to the ocean floor and below it, and from the coastal region to
the great mass of the deep oceans.

Pakistan coast is about
990 Km long extending from Indian border in the east to the Iranian border in
the west. The Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Pakistan is about
240,000 sq. km, with additional continental shelf area of about 50,000 sq. km.
As such, the total maritime zone of Pakistan is over 30% of the land area. This
region is characterized by distinctive oceanic phenomena, that produces rich
fisheries, mineral, and hydrocarbon resource.

The important oceanic phenomena
and features are:

Monsoon and climatic change

Upwelling and circulation

Mixing of Red Sea
and Gulf Water

Indus
estuary and sedimentation

Submarine Indus
Cone

Murray Fracture Zone (Leaky
Transform Fault)

Makran Subduction Margin

Extensive survey, data collection and research are required to
understand the above processes and features which have direct bearing on locating
the living and nonliving resources and their sustainable exploitation and
conservation. The programme of NIO has been oriented and set up to develop the
capabilities and facilities for achieving these objectives.

The latest major achievement of National Institute of Oceanography is the submission of Case for the Extension of Pakistan’s Continental Shelf
to the United Nation’s Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS). It is estimated that an area of more than 50,000 sq km of the
extended continental shelf can be annexed to our existing 240,000 sq km offshore area of EEZ. The project will contribute directly to the petroleum
and mineral sector in general and to the offshore maritime industry/market in particular.Latest high speed workstations and dedicated soft ware’s,
such as CARIS LOTS, CARIS GIS, SEISVISION, HYPACK, VISTA, ARC VIEW, FLEDRMAUS and QTC5 are in use at NIO. The Institute is equipped to process and
interpret bathymetric as well as 2D multi-channel seismic data. NIO is using MIKE-21 Hydrodynamical model and other sophisticated soft wares in
oceanographic and coastal hydrodynamic studies. NIO through the acquisition of oceanographic Data and using dedicated models provide services for
the solutions of coastal engineering problems, assistance in designing of ports and jetties, studies for stabilities of intake & outfall channels
of power plants, desalination plants designed for coastal areas, prediction of physical environment for nearshore/offshore structures and desk
studies of coastal hydrodynamics.

The first objective to a great extent has been achieved. Presently
30 scientists are involved in oceanographic activities, 26 of these have been
trained abroad. In addition there are, 39 supports staff on the roll of NIO.
The Institute has its own building on the Clifton shore. For
deep sea research NIO has access to a hydrographic cum oceanographic Research
Vessel "Behr Paima". In addition to the main laboratories at Karachi, NIO also has
a research station at Gwadar Baluchistan coast. NIO in a relatively a short
period of its existence has made optimum use of the limited resources. It has
initiated, conducted and completed a number of projects related to ocean
research and has effectively responded to a wide variety of user's
requirements, that is marine industry and national institutions involved in the
field of marine research.

Gwader Station
National Institute of Oceanography establish a Oceanographic Resaerch Substation at Gwadar, Balochistan covered area of 5970 square feet, located at Lat 25° 07' N and Long 62° 20' E, with fully equiped research labortory for Marine Sciences. Location...

National Institute of Oceanography established Tidal and Weather Observatory at Oceanographic Resaerch Substation, Gwadar that records the tidal data and weather condition of Makran Coast.

Total staff including officers is thirteen.
Thatta Station (Ghora Bari)